Managing Golden Eagles in Maine Woods: A Day with AMC Forest Manager Carolyn Ziegra's Work
Hitting the gas, the bite of winter's chill nips at me through my jacket as I race ahead, my hair streaming behind. The scent of pine fills the air, and the sound of snowmobiles roars across the Maine wilderness. It's a brisk 15 degrees in this secluded stretch, but the winter wonderland around me feels invigorating. With the rise in global temperatures, Maine winters have weakened over the past century, yet this year the snow's been generous, attracting outdoor enthusiasts to AMC's Maine Lodges and their world-class groomed backcountry trails.
This year's bountiful snowfall has brought Gonzo and I to the Maine woods to uncover the behind-the-scenes action of the Maine Woods Initiative (MWI) and catch up with AMC's forest manager, Carolyn Ziegra. Clad in layers and bundled up, Carolyn manages MWI's complex operations, which involve striking a harmonious balance between sustainable forestry, community development, and land conservation across over 114,000 protected acres.
Informing me that the sheer magnitude of her responsibilities means that she "takes on lots of things and many things in between," Carolyn supervises AMC's commercial forestry initiatives, making sure timber harvests adhere to responsible forestry practices. She also handles road work, construction, and bridge design across nearly 400 miles of roadways and collaborates on carbon offset projects, fish passage restoration, and numerous research projects on watershed integrity, fisheries restoration, water quality, forest management, forest ecology, and more.
An energetic woman with a passion for conservation, Carolyn is a perfect fit for AMC's community-driven initiatives. Joining the organization two and a half years ago, she brings her background in forestry and a strong commitment to environmental preservation to the table. While some might find the task intimidating, with a multitude of contractors and partners to coordinate and relationships to cultivate, Carolyn relishes the challenge, calling AMC a "really welcoming organization." Indeed, she thrives in her role, finding immense satisfaction in caring for this special slice of land.
Our day together takes us onto a snowmobile, speeding deep into the heart of the Maine wilderness. With wildlife biologist Scott McLellan leading the way, we set out to find the perfect location to capture data on Maine's rarest bird—the golden eagle. Nicknamed "the ghosts of the Eastern forest," the golden eagle has faced habitat loss and the lingering effects of the DDT pesticide, landing it on Maine's endangered species list. AMC is collaborating with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IFW) on the Maine Golden Eagle Study, a large-scale community science effort aimed at understanding the presence of golden eagles in eastern North America.
The task at hand isn't glamorous; it's all about setting up a wildlife camera bait site to attract golden eagles. While Scott scours the woods for a suitable location, I ask Carolyn about her most surprising animal encounter during her time overseeing MWI. "Oh geez," she says, nonchalantly recalling running into numerous bears on foot throughout her tenure. Then she shares a captivating tale of a group of mink that darted before her during a bridge site survey. I've heard whispers of her encountering a bear her second day on the job, and I can't resist asking about it. "Not chased," she corrects me confidently. "I turned and briskly walked away."
A tense moment of excitement interrupts our conversation when Scott suddenly hits a hidden snow drift, causing his snowmobile to flip over on its side. While this sort of mishap might be par for the course for seasoned snowmobilers like Carolyn and Scott, I can't help but feel the drama as we right the vehicle and send Scott on his way to scout the trail ahead.
As the day winds down, we locate a picturesque clearing where tall trees provide the perfect perch for golden eagles, and the wide-open space makes an ideal location for our wildlife camera. Scott and Carolyn set to work prepping the site, but I remain mesmerized by the beauty of this untouched wilderness. It's inspiring to witness the incredible impact that AMC's work is having on this protected land, which encompasses responsible forestry practices, sustainable recreation, climate resilience, patronage support, research, and even dark sky protection.
As we leave the woods, Carolyn reflects on her favorite aspect of her job: "There's a lot of gratitude in getting to do this. Getting to take care of such a special place is what excites me every day." She talks about the sense of stewardship she feels, the knowledge that the work she's doing now will continue to have meaning long after she's gone, serving as a sanctuary for generations to come. In a world filled with uncertainty, it's a comfort to know that places like the Maine Woods Initiative will endure, protected for the future.
If you're interested in supporting the future of MWI, consider donating to protect the Barnard Forest, visiting one of AMC's Maine lodges, or becoming an AMC member. For locals, here's how you can participate in the Maine Golden Eagle Study.
The conversation with Carolyn highlights the intertwined nature of sports and environmental science. She oversees AMC's commercial forestry initiatives and collaborates on carbon offset projects, fish passage restoration, and research projects on watershed integrity, fisheries restoration, water quality, forest management, and forest ecology, some of which involve sports-related endeavors like the Maine Golden Eagle Study. Moreover, Carolyn's dedication to preserving the environment extends beyond her professional life, as she finds enjoyment in various outdoor activities in Maine's winter wonderland, such as snowmobiling.
